2 arrested after five elephants killed in Tsavo

KWS Spokesman Paul Udoto says the elephants killed include one female adult and four sub-adults/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 29 – A major operation was underway at the Tsavo West National Park Wednesday following the killing of five elephants whose tusks were taken away.

The Kenya Wildlife Service said two suspects had been arrested after they were traced to Ndoomani area of Loitoktok sub-county where blood-stained weapons used to kill the elephants were found.

“KWS rangers were dispatched on a search mission and found five carcasses of freshly poached elephants comprising a female adult and four sub-adults with tusks missing,” KWS Spokesman Paul Udoto said in a statement.

He said the joint operation involving police and Tanzanian wildlife authorities launched the operation after a report of gunshots was heard at about 6pm on Monday.

“The carcasses were traced at about 11am on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at Losoita area of Tsavo West National Park from where the search mission team tracked the suspected poachers to the nearby manyatta,” he said.

Police and KWS rangers said they also recovered fresh blood stained axe, axe handle,’ akala’ shoes and a hack-saw were found in one of the houses in the manyatta.

Police have lately intensified a manhunt for elephant poaching which has drawn interest of renowned personalities including Hollywood star Lupita Nyong’o who unveiled a new initiative in Nairobi recently.